Course coordinator
Dr Jenny Munro
Consultation hours Wednesdays 1pm-2pm or by appointment.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
This course introduces anthropological and other theoretical perspectives on and from the societies, scholars and peoples of the Pacific - from American Samoa and Hawai'i to the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and West Papua. It is not a traditional review of the history of anthropological thought, but rather, in this course, `theory' means diverse interpretations and understandings of society. Through an exploration of racism/colonialism, culture and gender it prepares students to engage more deeply with challenges such as climate change, gender equality, and decolonisation and provides a grounding in Pacific anthropology.
This course is essential preparation for graduates to obtain a foundational understanding of contemporary conditions, debates, and analyses in the Pacific region so you can engage ethically and respectfully in the region or with Pasifika peoples around the world. The 'learning resources' list contains important course readings, but please access the most recent course Reading Guide fromﾠBlackboard for the latest advice on required and recommended readings/other content.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Some knowledge of the study of anthropology is assumed for this course. This course is designed for second year students. For anthropology majors and minors, this course should ideally be taken in the second year of study.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ANTH1008
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Course staff
Lecturer
Guest lecturer
Mrs Inez Fainga'a
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aims of this course are:
- to introduce anthropological and other theoretical perspectives on and from the societies, scholars and peoples of the Pacific
- to prepare students to understand and act to address societal issues such as economic development, racism and coloniality, gender equality, and cultural diversity
- to increase awareness of anthropology’s historical, present and future connections with Pacific Islanders
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify, evaluate and challenge how anthropology engages with Pacific societies, peoples, and cultures.
LO2.
Demonstrate an awareness of Pasifika/Pacific perspectives that challenge historical biases and can be applied to engage ethically and respectfully with Pasifika peoples.
LO3.
Demonstrate competence with contemporary anthropological concepts and scholarship in relation to key issues in the Pacific/Oceania region.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
UQ Anthropology Museum Activity
|
25% |
12/08/2025 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Biographical Essay | 40% |
12/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
35% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
UQ Anthropology Museum Activity
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
12/08/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
You are asked to complete a worksheet on paper during class time in the Museum setting. The worksheet will ask you to answer questions and undertake reflections and/or activities that relate to the first three weeks of the course and the current exhibition. The worksheet will focus broadly on important Pacific cultural values, how anthropology connects with Pacific peoples in the past and today, and how anthropologists work today. This activity will be marked based on how much of the worksheet you have completed, with marks assigned per question/topic.
If you miss the museum visit and have an approved extension then you should visit the museum in your own time and complete an alternate worksheet.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The worksheet will be handed in at the end of class time.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request.
In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Biographical Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
12/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02
Task description
You are asked to write a 1500 word (+/-10%) biographical essay on one of the Pacific Islander scholars discussed in the course (see Course Guide document on Blackboard). The essay should identify provide some key biographical information about the scholar, identify what you think are the scholar’s key ideas or key themes in their work, identify what you think their contribution to anthropology is, including a specific debate or focus area (e.g. decolonisation, gender, racial politics, culture, exchange, everyday life, ethnography) and reflect on how the context of their work (including personal history, scholarly debates or world events) influenced their ideas and/or contributions.
The biographical note should use minimum 6 references and be referenced in APA 7th. References should be to course readings or readings that are available in the UQ library catalogue only, demonstrated by including the library permalink for all sources. The reference list is not included in the word count.
This task is marked out of 40 points, with up to 10 marks for each of the following criteria: Identifying and evidencing scholar’s ideas; Analysing their contribution to anthropology; Critical reflection on their context and how it shaped their work/research; Written expression. A marking rubric is available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Fabrication or misrepresentation of sources will result in an automatic fail grade for this assessment, regardless of performance in other criteria. This includes but is not limited to: citing non-existent sources or attributing false quotes to real sources. Such issues demonstrate failure to meet the core learning outcomes for the course and may also be referred for academic misconduct. Citations should be thoroughly verified, contextual, and skilfully integrated.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Additional resources are available through UQ AI Student Hub.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request.
In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
A final exam will be conducted in exam period. Through a variety of question/prompt styles, the exam will focus on LO3, Demonstrate competence with contemporary anthropological concepts and scholarship in relation to key issues in the Pacific/Oceania region.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply.
An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here.
For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Your final grade is determined by adding together the sum of all individual assessment tasks completed and received.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The UQ Library also offers information, guides and technical help on quizzes and tests, Blackboard assignments and Turnitin assignments. Details are available on the Learn.UQ Assessment website (https://www.library.uq.edu.au/ask-it/learnuq-assessment) and UQ Library Ask I.T. Service website (https://www.library.uq.edu.au/ask-it/about-ask-it).
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Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Seminar |
Introduction to Theory and Society in the Pacific Introduction to the course and key issues. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Seminar |
Anthropology of/in the Pacific This lecture introduces some of the history of anthropology in the Pacific Islands and anthropology conducted today by Pacific Islanders. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Anthropology Museum: “Stories through time: Living cultures, enduring connections” We will spend this class in the UQ Anthropology Museum and complete an assessment item (worksheet). |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Introduction to Māori and Pacific Cultures Guest Lecture by Dr. Inez Fainga’a-Manu Sione will address Pacific ways of knowing, being and doing, the diversity of Pacific cultures and perspectives, and prominent cultural values like reciprocity and collectivism. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Culture and design from a Pacific context Guest Lecture by Dr. Inez Fainga’a-Manu Sione will lead reflections on how spaces and services may be imbued with cultural meaning and shape the social interactions that are possible. The class will visit the UQ Art Museum SUNA installation by Yuriyal Bridgeman (TBC). Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Culture in Anthropological history A short history of 'culture' as an anthropological concept, past and present. Emphasis on gender, notions of race, and contributions of feminist anthropology. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Gender and cultural encounters This seminar looks at some key debates about culture in relation to colonial ‘contact’ and rules, globalisation and modernity. Emphasises examples of gendered cultural interactions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Gender Diversity and Critical Perspectives This lecture develops critical perspectives on gendered forms of erasure, and gender divergent identities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Seminar |
Race, racism and whiteness Notions and contestations of race have always been present in anthropological engagements with Pacific peoples, and vice versa. Explores debates about knowledge and power in the context of anthropological and other European/western paradigms. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Critical Perspectives on Empire This session develops awareness about the historical details and present day nuances of colonialism, through a close reading of Banivanua-Mar's 'Decolonisation and the Pacific: Indigenous Globalisation and the Ends of Empire'. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Seminar |
Decolonisation and Resurgence This lecture focuses on understanding ongoing decolonisation through an examination of historical and present day Indigenous agency and resistance. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Seminar |
Indigenous Pacific Islands Feminism This seminar engages with theorizing from Pacific Island scholars about the ideas, roots and practices of Indigenous feminism and the complexities of feminist concepts in the Pacific. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Course Conclusion We will recap core material and prepare for the final exam. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.